She reached back and rubbed at a troublesome sore spot on her neck, trying without much success to focus her bleary eyes. Already she was working long hours, and the season hadn’t even begun. She couldn’t complain—she absolutely loved her job—but the niggling guilt about leaving Tasha alone all the time wouldn’t go away. There was no good solution to the problem. If she got another animal to keep Tasha company, that would be one more thing to take care of when she was home and then leave behind when the team traveled.
“Can I ask you a question?”
Doug glanced at her and grinned. “Sure, that’s what I’m here for.”
“This is a different type of question.”
Sitting up, he gave her his full attention. “Shoot.”
“Do you think everyone is just waiting for me to fail? I’d like your opinion about how I’m being perceived.”
Doug’s eyes widened and he didn’t seem to know how to react. Finally, he asked, “What do you mean?”
Sarah fidgeted, doodling on her notepad as she considered how to couch her concerns. After a moment, she forced herself to meet Doug’s gaze. “I fear that some of the players, plus Jon and a few of the front-office guys, think this is all a big joke. I’ve heard some whispering in the halls, snickering when I talk during meetings, that sort of thing.”
Doug nodded. “Yeah, I’ve seen a little of that too.”
At least it’s not just my own paranoia if Doug has noticed it too. “You know these guys better than I do. Do you have any suggestions for what I should do about it?”
He rubbed his chin. “You don’t strike me as someone who’s cowed by others’ impressions.”
“Not usually, but this is brand new territory. Plus, I’ve really got nowhere else to go if this doesn’t work out. My position at Cornell was eliminated.”
“Well, you’re at a disadvantage because you’re a woman, obviously. It’s not right and it’s not fair, but it’s there and you have to deal with it. The fact you’ve never played the game doesn’t help your cause either. Here’s the best advice I can give you. Do your best and try to keep your nose clean.”
“My nose clean?” What the hell does that mean? Does he think that’s going to be a problem?
Doug smiled. “Yeah. Be professional with the guys. Show them you know what you’re doing. Sound confident. As far as the whole ‘being a woman’ thing, hockey players put women in one of three groups: lover, wife, or mother. So don’t be any of those things and you should do okay.”
Sarah nodded as an image of Sebastian flooded her addled brain. Getting involved at any level with a player was a horrible idea. She knew that. Sebastian would be nothing but trouble, but he had elicited a stronger response from her than any other man she’d ever met, and that both terrified and fascinated her. Staying professional and detached where he was concerned would be a monumental task.
This job was important to her and she would not to let her physical attraction to Sebastian stand in the way of her effectiveness. She wouldn’t screw up this chance. Sitting up straighter, Sarah smiled at Doug. “Thanks. You make it sound so easy.”
He put his hand on her shoulder. “It’s in all of our interests for you to do well. Plus, I like you.” He grinned again. “Just don’t tell my wife.”
“One more thing, since we’re being sentimental,” Sarah teased. “Thanks for being so great about all this. I know it must’ve seemed like your position was being usurped, but you’ve been such a rock for me. I appreciate it. I think we make a good team.”
“So do I,” he said. “Just don’t forget who’s in charge.”
“Right…”
Doug glanced at his watch. “On that note, what say we call it a night?”
“Sure, boss. Player interviews start tomorrow and I want to be alert.”
****
Despite how it probably made him look like a lovesick idiot, Sebastian had been waiting outside Sarah’s office for the past half hour. He’d been looking forward to this meeting since the very first day of camp.
Rob exited. Knowing Sebastian thought Sarah was hot, his roommate was taking every opportunity to tease him about it, and so Sebastian wasn’t surprised when Rob started making kissing noises. Sebastian could’ve killed him. Like I’m not nervous already. Rob’s mockery didn’t help.
He hurried into Sarah’s office and closed the door behind him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as he took in Sarah. She was so beautiful. It was a silly expression, but she took his breath away. Her beauty wasn’t conventional. She wasn’t model-skinny, and her hair was pretty wild. Despite that, she called to something deep within him. He had never gone for women who knew they were hot anyway. They were never very interesting and way too full of themselves.
Shoving his hands into his jeans’ pockets, he rocked back on his heels. He hadn’t been this nervous in a long time—it was almost like this meeting was a first date. It was the first time they’d be alone, and Sebastian had been anticipating it with a ridiculous amount of enthusiasm. Pathetic, no doubt, but he didn’t care. Sarah intrigued him, and he wanted to get to know her better. A lot better.
“Hey, have a seat.” She motioned with her pen to the chair in front of her desk then scribbled a few notes. “I apologize for running over with Rob.”
“It’s okay. He likes to talk a lot. I don’t think I even need to be in the room most of the time.” Sebastian tried to smile and look at ease. Maybe a joke would lessen the sexual tension already overwhelming him.
Sarah’s gaze connected with his before moving away again. Hmm. She didn’t get the joke. I hope I didn’t offend her or something.
“Water?” she asked, leaning back to the portable fridge. Her blouse strained over her breasts, and Sebastian’s throat dried and constricted.
He cleared his throat. “Sure, thanks.” Having something to fiddle with would help too or else he’d fidget like a hamster on crack. There was no way he could sit still through this as the need to touch Sarah bombarded him.
He squashed his body into the folding chair before running his hands through his hair to push it off his forehead. It fell right back down though, and he swiped at it again. He’d attempted to style it after practice, for all the good it had done. Stupid hair. I should’ve worn a hat.
He looked around her office. It was tiny. They had actually put a person in here? “Was this a closet?”
She laughed and he sat back to take in the melodious sound. Unfortunately his weight made the folding chair creak and the moment was lost. “Yes, it actually was. Well, a storage room anyway. By the time I was hired it was too late to get an office set up, so they stuck me in here. At least that’s what they told me.” She glanced at him, licking her lips, and he followed the movement.
This obsession, for that was the only word that made sense, was out of control. He wanted Sarah. On top of him. Underneath him. He didn’t care. And if he didn’t kiss her soon, he wasn’t sure what he’d do.
Pain shot through his hands. He’d gripped the seat of the folding chair so hard his knuckles were white. Not wanting Sarah to see how keyed up he was, slowly, he eased his hands away.
Sarah moved her legal pad closer. “First, can you first give me the correct pronunciation of your last name?”
He forced himself to refocus. “For sure. It is pronounced San AM-an. Don’t pronounce the ‘T.’”
“Great. Thanks.” She wrote in her notebook. “I’ve read your bio, and I’ve seen some game tape…”
Hope they were my good games. Sebastian had been one of the anchors of last year’s team in Rochester, but every player had bad games.
As she continued to speak, Sebastian imagined plunging his hands into all that hair, holding her steady for his kiss. What would she taste like?
“Why don’t you tell me about yourself? What your goals are. What you think you can do for the team. Stuff like that.”
Goals. Team. What?
Get your head in the game, dumbass.
“Wow, am I at a sports psychologist?” When Sarah chuckled, he grinned. He liked making her laugh.
Sebastian rubbed his chin, the overlong hairs tickling the ends of his fingers. Did she like her guys clean-shaven or with some scruff?
Oh yeah, head in the game. He swallowed hard. “I want to make the team. I know I can play well and help them, you know? I can play both center and wing, but you probably already knew that.”
“Keep going.” She hadn’t looked up from her paper, and Sebastian was grateful she hadn’t since he was stammering like an idiot and the heat was rising in his face.
“I think I am a good scorer, but I try to play well at both ends of the rink. I’ve even played defense.”
“Really? Huh.”
“I don’t want to play defense though.” He hastened to add. “I just can if I have to. I like forward. I like to score.”
Did I just say I liked to score? Merde! Sebastian’s face flamed even more, and he cursed his pale skin.
“What do you see as your role on this team?” Sarah reached back and ran her fingers through her hair.
Sebastian was riveted to the sight, and when Sarah returned her attention to him, her eyes turned dark with heat and her hands dropped onto her lap. Is she feeling the same interest, the same pull toward me? He got dizzy just considering it. His groin betrayed him, tightening until he feared for his circulation. Leaning forward a little in an effort to disguise the huge erection he now sported, his gaze traveled from her eyes, to her mouth, to her breasts then back to her face again. He couldn’t help himself. Hell, he wasn’t even trying to stop anymore.
She cleared her throat. “So, um, your role?”
“O-o-oh, my role. Eh, well, I’m a young guy. I’m a good skater, and I’m in good condition. I’m a team guy. I’ll do anything for my teammates. I mean, I want to play on this team very much. It’s my dream.”
Geez, could I sound like more of an idiot?
“Okay, why don’t we continue this tomorrow? It’s late, and I should let you get home.”
“I live with Rob. It’s better than living in a hotel, and he doesn’t care when I get home.”
She knows I live with Rob. Why am I still talking?
Shut it, you moron!
“I see.” Her face betrayed nothing, but she shifted in her seat.
Could it be true? Was the overwhelming attraction mutual? Was that why she kicking him out now?
God, yes, please, I want her.
“Yeah, okay, we can talk more tomorrow.” Sebastian bounded from the chair then fled the room. Once back in the locker room, he collapsed against the wall.
What am I gonna do?Will she laugh in my face if I ask her out? And she’s like a coach here, which is a little weird. Is there some rule about staff and players dating?
With a sigh, he went to his car. He’d have to try to read Sarah to figure out how she might react if he tried to take things beyond friendship or working together, as if he wasn’t watching her enough already. If he did and she rejected him, he’d feel really stupid. She was sophisticated, and he liked that. He was tired of the games girls his age played. Sarah probably didn’t even realize how sexy she was. If he had anything to say about it, she’d know without a doubt.
Chapter Three
On one of the final days of training camp, as Sarah packed up to leave for the day, a soft knock on the door surprised her. It’s after nine. Who can that be at this hour?
With any luck, it wasn’t Jaroslav. She’d had another incident with him during his interview. He’d asked her out again and hadn’t wanted to take no for an answer. In no uncertain terms she’d told him she wasn’t interested, but flashbacks of the attack in her past had been unsettling her since.
After wiping her damp palms on her pants, she opened the door, ready to defend herself if needed. Sebastian stood in khakis and a button-down shirt with the top two buttons open revealing an expanse of smooth skin. She frowned. It was odd for him to be at the arena this late.
He smiled and a rush of heat coursed through her. “I saw your light on, so I decided to come and make sure you were okay.”
“I’m fine. But what are you doing here? Weren’t you guys done a long time ago?” The players were done with their daily session by mid-afternoon most days.
“I forgot something here earlier, so I came back to pick it up.”
He wouldn’t meet her gaze. Was he telling the truth? But what reason would he have to lie?
Sebastian cleared his throat as he studied something behind her. “So, are you leaving soon?”
“Yes, right now, actually.” As she spoke, Sarah crossed to her desk to grab her laptop. With that task completed, she scooted around her desk once more.
Sebastian, his hands jammed in his pockets, was shifting from foot to foot. “Do you want to, you know, grab some dinner or something? I would like to hear more about what you’re planning to do for us.”
Alarm bells clanged inside her head. Did he just ask me out? He said “dinner.” He can’t mean like a date.
She shouldn’t agree to go, but oh God, she wanted to. When she realized she was biting her nail, she forced her hand to her side.
“I mean, if you’ve eaten or something, don’t worry about it. With the time, I figured you might be hungry.”
“I’m starving.” Now why the hell did I just admit that?
He raised an eyebrow, and his gorgeous light green eyes that Sarah was afraid she could get lost in all too easily darkened to a deeper hue. “Then we’ll go to dinner.”
“All right.” Sarah was helpless to resist when he went all Alpha male on her. All her life she’d had a weakness for a guy with confidence, one who knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to go out and get it. Even at his young age, it was obvious Sebastian was an Alpha male through and through.
“Doug mentioned you guys were working crazy hours,” Sebastian said as they walked toward the parking ramp. “He also said you were, ah, how did he put it? A slave driver.” He smirked, revealing a dimple she’d never seen before.
Oh geez. I’m a dead woman.
“He said his wife is jealous he’s spending so much time with you.”
Aghast, Sarah faced him, only to see he was still smiling. “We are working long hours, but it’ll be worth it. I think we’re onto something here.”
She paused beside her SUV as her nerves got the better of her. It would be nice to bounce some things off a player. Finally, she roused herself enough to say, “I guess neither of us knows our way around here very well, huh?”
“I know some. Do you want to take my car? I can bring you back here later.”
“Sure,” Sarah answered, though she was still uneasy about going out to dinner alone with him. A niggling voice in the back of her mind was stuck on a repeat chorus of bad idea, bad idea, reminding her how it would be perceived if they were seen together, and she didn’t want to jeopardize her new life with the Storm. Despite all that, she’d already agreed to go with him and it was too late to back out now without making a fool of herself, since she’d already admitted she was starving.
Once they’d walked to his car, a silver Honda Civic, and climbed inside, Sebastian twisted in the seat. “I know one place Rob and I have gone to a couple of times. They have a huge menu and serve late.”
Sarah’s stomach gurgled. Mortified, she groaned, but Sebastian laughed. “Whatever you want is fine.”
He gave her a long, heated look that left her thinking he’d rather eat her for dinner. She was grateful the air conditioning worked because her entire body heated at the thought. Fighting the instinct to fan herself, she settled back in her seat.
This is ridiculous. If it kept up, she was likely to take a bite out of him for dessert. And he’d take a bite out of me. Sarah barely suppressed a moan at the image.
After they arrived at the restaurant, Sebastian placed his hand on the small of her back as he opened the establishment’s door. The night was warm and Sarah wore only a thin cotton shirt.
The heat of his hand seeped into her back, sending a fissure of pleasure down her spine.
Calm down. He’s just being polite.
The hostess seated them at a table in a dimly lit back corner of the restaurant. Sebastian leaned toward Sarah, whispering, “I think the hostess recognized me. Kind of sad, don’t you think? I should learn how to cook, or even better, make Rob learn.”
Sarah smiled, picturing the two men attempting that feat. Surely multiple fire departments would be involved. “I love to cook, but I never have enough time. Of course, there’s also no one around to eat my cooking besides me, so why bother?”
“Anytime you want to practice, I know lots of hungry hockey players who would be willing to help you out. J'aime manger! That means ‘I love to eat!’” He winked, and Sarah’s stomach fluttered.
Damn hormones. She fiddled with the menu. “Well, I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? Think you would poison us? We can take it. We’re big and tough!” Sebastian flexed his bicep and she nearly went over the table to check it out for herself. “Plus, you would probably not kill any of us, right?” He smirked, the corners of his eyes crinkling and that infernal dimple making another appearance.
She dropped her gaze to the menu. “I-I don’t think it would go over well if I was, um, how should I put this?” Sebastian said nothing, and she looked up.
One side of his mouth kicking up, he raised an eyebrow.
“If I was, uh,” she stopped again, swearing under her breath as Sebastian valiantly attempted not to openly laugh at her, his shoulders shaking with the effort, “spending a lot of personal time with the players.”
She let out a long breath as the busboy came over to fill their water glasses. When the man left, Sebastian stroked his fingertips over his chin. She’d always been a sucker for a five-o’clock shadow and Sebastian didn’t disappoint.
Yeah, definitely a threat to my sanity.
“You wouldn’t be doing anything wrong. It would be dinner. What’s so bad about that? We can act like nice guys, you know. Unless you don’t want us to be.” He stared at her boldly and her skin heated again.
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